31 Easy Back-to-School Dinner Ideas
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Back-to-school season can be a hectic time of year! Save yourself a lot of hassle and add some peace back into your evenings with this list of 31 Easy Back-to-School Dinner Ideas.
With everything from sandwiches and sloppy joes to stir-fries and sheet pan meals, thereโs sure to be a few new recipes to add to your family dinner rotation.
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Each recipe is ready in about 30 minutes and is made with easy-to-find ingredients. And they are all family approved. Browse the list below and make mealtime a breeze tonight!
Pair these weeknight dinner recipes with a simple side dish and a sweet treat for a meal the entire family will love.
If you’re looking for fun things to do this Fall but short on cash, check out our Fall Bucket List Ideas for Broke People.
31 Easy Back-to-School Dinner Ideas
Get dinner on the table FAST with these quick supper recipes.
Tacos & Sandwiches
There's nothing easier than sandwiches and tacos!
The Best Turkey Tacos Recipe - Ground Turkey Taco Meat
Healthier than your favorite ground beef tacos, this ground turkey variety has all the classic taco flavor you know and love. Tuck the taco meat into tortillas or use it to make taco salads, burritos, or burrito bowls.
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes (2 Ways)
With the flavor of Manwich and none of the extra junk, these Homemade Sloppy Joes are always a hit. I've included 2 ways to cook: stovetop and slow cooker. Pro-tip: meal prep an extra batch of the sloppy joes to enjoy for dinner later in the week.
BBQ Ranch Burgers
Like a cheeseburger but better, these BBQ Ranch Burgers are a great mid-week treat for your family. Infused with ranch seasoning and basted with BBQ sauce, itโs a burger youโre sure to make again and again!
Open Face Tuna Melt Sandwich
This classic Tuna Melt sandwich is a blend of creamy tuna, gooey melted cheese and crunchy toasted bread. Itโs the perfect easy dinner or hearty lunch and ready in only 15 minutes.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Enjoy a plant-forward Taco Tuesday the whole family will love with these Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos! This vegan recipe is ready in under 25 minutes and full of nutrients and flavor.
Baked Loose Meat Sliders
Similar to a Maid Rite, these Loose Meat Sliders are one of my go-to ground beef recipes. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner they are also fun for parties.
Soups & Stews
Serve these hearty and comforting soups with a loaf of crusty bread or a side salad.
Best Easy Chili Recipe (30 Minute Beef Chili + Video)
Enjoy the comfort of homemade chili without a long cook time with this Easy Chili Recipe. This saucy and mildly spiced chili is a great family-friendly fall dinner idea.
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Thereโs no need for canned soups when you can easily make your own. This Broccoli Cheese Soup features fresh broccoli, fresh cheese, and common pantry seasonings and is ready in under 30 minutes!
Easy Weeknight Taco Soup with Homemade Taco Seasoning Option
Easy Taco Soup is a classic recipe that never goes out of style. It delivers with a fantastic Tex-Mex flavor profile and the easy preparation is perfect for busy nights.
Mama's Magic Super Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
Enjoy the classic comforts of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup in no-time with this Super Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe! Enjoy leftovers throughout the week or freeze them for a quick dinner later in the month!
Stir-Fries & Skillets
We love the versatility of skillet meals. And clean-up is a breeze!
Easy Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
With prawns, fresh veggies, and a honey-garlic stir-fry sauce, this quick dinner is nutritious and delicious! Serve this stir-fry over rice, cauliflower, rice, or your favorite noodles for a complete meal.
Loaded Taco Skillet (One-Pot-30 Minutes!)
A complete one-pot meal, this Loaded Taco Skillet is veggie and protein packed with tons of flavor. Serve this skillet with tortilla chips or toasted tortillas for a complete dinner!
Teriyaki Meatball Bowls
Made with pre-cooked meatballs and a homemade teriyaki sauce this easy dinner comes together FAST! It's a longtime family favorite and one of my most-requested dinners.
Easy Chicken Stir Fry
A great chicken stir-fry is a must in almost every dinner rotation. This recipe is deceptively easy to make and features a thick and flavorful sauce, making it a meal youโll come back to again and again.
Creamy Shrimp and Zucchini Skillet
Elegant and impressive appearing, but surprisingly easy to make, this Creamy Shrimp and Zucchini Skillet is keto-friendly and low carb while being big on flavor. Itโs a one-pan dish you can serve during the fall and year-round.
Korean Beef Bowl
Youโll never believe how easy this Korean beef bowl is to make! Without any preservatives or MSG, this quick bowl is just as flavorful as those you get in the restaurants.
Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl
A delicious rice bowl made with ground turkey (or beef!) this teriyaki rice bowl is a complete meal complete with protein, vegetables, and flavor!
Instant Pot & Air Fryer
Use your Instant Pot and Air Fryer to reduce cooking times by at least half.
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice
With vegetables, chicken, pantry seasonings, and rice, Instant Pot Chicken & Rice is an easy comfort food recipe thatโs ready in about 30 minutes. Can be made with boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs.
Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Like homemade pizza but quicker, Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are easy to make and tasty. All you need for this recipe is refrigerated pizza crust, pizza sauce, cheese, and any of your favorite pizza toppings.
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Enjoy the flavors of takeout without the extra expense with this Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli. This beef stir-fry is saucy, juicy, and made with easy-to-find ingredients.
Easy Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken is bursting with flavor, ready in under 30 minutes, and perfect for making sliders or sandwiches. Make a double or triple batch for leftovers.
Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Thighs
For fall-off-the-bone tender chicken in a finger-licking sticky sauce, this Instant Pot Sticky Chicken is the ticket! Serve these chicken thighs with stir-fried or steamed veggies, rice, quinoa, or garlic noodles.
Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
Grab a loaf of French bread from the bakery, shredded cheese, sauce and your favorite toppings for one of the easiest dinners ever. A favorite with the kids and adults, you'll never buy frozen frozen pizza bread after making it at home.
Instant Pot Pad Thai
Pad Thai is no longer just for takeout! Thanks to this Instant Pot Pad Thai, you can get the simple and fast homemade stir-fried noodles on your table tonight. Bonus: this recipe doesnโt call for any exotic or hard to find ingredients!
Air Fryer Drumsticks
These simple Air Fryer Drumsticks are a family favorite because they are crispy and juicy every time. Made with a flavorful blend of pantry seasonings and ready in under 30 minutes.
Pasta
Pasta recipes are filling and easy on the budget.
Taco Pasta - One Pot!
The ultimate comforting, yet quick dinner you can get on the table in a snap, this Creamy Taco Pasta will be a hit! Pasta shells are smothered in a craveworthy cheesy taco and ground beef sauce. It will instantly become a family-favorite!
Easy Weeknight Chicken Spaghetti
Comfort food easy enough for a weeknight! Can be made ahead of time so all you have to do is bake it.
One Pot Ground Turkey Spaghetti
Love spaghetti but donโt like the clean-up? This One Pot Ground Turkey Spaghetti is for you! This family-friendly pasta with meat sauce is cooked all in one pot for a quick and easy meal.
Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Peas
Impressive enough for a restaurant, but easy enough to make on a weeknight, Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Peas is a quick and satisfying pasta meal. Top the pasta with grilled chicken to add extra protein-staying power
Sheet Pan Recipes
Sheet pan dinners are easy to put together but we appreciate the easy clean-up.
Sheet Pan Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs with Vegetables - 30 minutes!
A flavorful chicken recipe that requires no marinating, this Sheet Pan Lemon Rosemary Chicken is bursting with savory and bright flavors. Serve this chicken with steamed green beans, sauteed spinach, or a green salad.
Easy Nachos
No longer just an appetizer, Easy Nachos make an easy and complete meal the whole family will love. Make the recipe your own by using your favorite meat, cheese, and veggie toppings.